Building the jump higher, even after I would fall

As a kid I would build jumps for my crappy bmx bike at the end of a steep driveway with a short 3' board. The transition was easy at first and would land it easily. I'd build it up each time, with 2x4's, hockey pucks, or whatever else I could find.

Once I was able to land it more than a couple times confidently, I would build it higher. The jump would get really high and the transition was steep. I would crash hard, but I knew that I was getting closer to landing it, so I'd keep trying.

All the kids from the block would come and watch and that helped give me courage. Also, being close to home made it safer. If I popped a tire, broke a chain, bent the handlebars - It could all be fixed and I could continue. Even if I hurt myself really badly, my brother or someone could call my parents. There was that safety.

So many metaphors for my life in here and insights into something I lost from my childhood. Feeling grateful and grief at the same time.

0 comments